Yet even Sam’s beloved characters can’t give her everything she needs to face the demons of her past. As she tiptoes into friendship, struggles to find her creative voice, and even meets famous novelist Alex Powell, the correspondence becomes both cathartic and intimate. Knightley is a kind but faceless donor there’s little risk in describing her studies–or her life–to him.Īs Sam’s story unfolds, however, she finds herself confiding in Mr. Knightley”–the name of one of Jane Austen’s most noble heroes–which not only delights our bookish Sam, but makes her feel safer.
He wishes to be addressed simply by the name “Mr. When an anonymous benefactor offers to put her through journalism school, however, Sam jumps at the chance… and the catch: if she wants the scholarship, she must maintain a regular correspondence with her mysterious supporter. (*cough*) But she’s also a former foster kid with deep emotional scars and paralyzing terrors: she keeps everyone at arm’s length, preferring the comfort and safety of her books and the characters therein to making herself vulnerable with anyone who might hurt her. “Sam,” as you might imagine, is my kind of girl: a reader and aspiring writer who is very much in love with her fictional friends. Now, she will learn to write her own story–by giving that story to a complete stranger. Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others–namely, her favorite characters in literature. But it also nourished my recovering imagination…and even convicted me in a few places. In my opinion, this book becomes more meaningful over time–maybe because I see more of myself in the heroine. Knightley *. This one has been on my shelf for years, but it’s been a good four years since I last enjoyed it. It certainly beats twiddling my thumbs till midnight.įor my first nighttime read I picked an oldie-but-goodie: Katherine Reay’s debut novel, Dear Mr. I’m doing much better now, however, thanks to some new relaxation habits! Rather than going straight to bed at 9 o’clock and staring at the ceiling for three hours, I’ve begun praying the Office of Compline (the final daily service in The Book of Common Prayer) and then reading a novel for thirty minutes, nestled on the couch and wrapped in a quilt. I’m pretty sure most of it was psychological: I’ve had a lot on my mind and heaps of writing work on my plate. I think she’ll make it…”Īs I mentioned in the “Never Have I Ever” Writing Tag, I’ve struggled with some insomnia over the last few weeks. Every step she takes forward, she glances back and even retreats. She’s bold and fairly feisty, with serious timidity issues at times. Please read my full disclosure for more info. Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links, meaning I receive a small commission if you make any purchase through links marked clearly with an asterisk, at no cost to you.
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